Margaret Ann Felstet died peacefully June 21, 2011. She was born in Helena to Russ and Gertie Campbell on January 10, 1938.
Margaret received a Catholic education, graduating in 1956 from Cathedral High. She enjoyed still being close to many of her classmates. She attended Saint Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas, for two years before deciding nursing wasn’t her thing. She then moved to Berkley, California, and worked at US Bank for a couple of years before returning to Helena. At Carroll College, she received a degree in education and began her beloved career as an elementary school teacher.
On November 7, 1969 she married the love of her life, Rickerd Felstet. They settled in East Helena, where she continued to teach until her retirement in 1997. Along with her public school teaching, she also taught faith formation off and on for 30 years. In the mid 70’s, she served as President of St. Ann’s Society at Ss. Cyril and Methodius parish.
Margaret embraced life enthusiastically, and her joy was reflected in her smile. She loved the Lord, her family and friends, teaching, and the outdoors. Her greatest pleasure came in spending time with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband; children, Anne (Dan) Dartman of Bozeman and Tom Felstet, OD, of Billings; grandchildren, Sidney and Jake Felstet and Sam, Gertie and Xavier Dartman; her brother, Jim (Nancy) Campbell and their children, and numerous cousins.
Margaret felt so honored to receive all the heartfelt notes, prayers and visits throughout this past year as she battled lung cancer again. She always said she was so blessed having 13 cancer-free years, having been a part of so many wonderful times with her friends and also seeing her grandchildren that she couldn’t feel sorry for herself now.
We thank our family and friends, especially Yvonne Blackburn, for their support, prayers and love. They helped all of us to stay positive and to see the blessings and grace in the situation.
Memorials can be sent to the retired priests fund of the Diocese of Helena or to an organization focused on helping children.
The family will begin receiving friends at 6:30 p.m. with a Vigil service to be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 26th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be noon Monday, June 27th at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena. A reception will be held in the social center of the church immediately following the Mass. Placement of her cremated remains will be in the Columbarium Niche at Resurrection Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Aaron Cade says
So sorry for your loss Anne- our prayers are with you.
Carol L. Smith says
My condolences to the family. I always enjoyed going into to her class at Radley. I was the Chapter I/Title teacher and we always were working on strategies to help her students. Even after she retired it was always her smile and the hello how are you that made your day.
Carrie (Drake) Fisher says
Mrs. Felstet was a wonderful first grade teacher!!! My children would be very blessed to have a teacher as caring and wonderful as her.
Best wishes to her family and very close friends. May she rest in peace. My heartfelt sympathy.
Cheri (Wolfe) Johannes says
Rick, Anne, Tom and Family – I feel like I grew up at your house and have many happy memories. My deepest sympathy.
DEBBIE (MURGEL) SCHRAMM says
I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. SHE WAS A KIND PERSON AND LOVED BY MANY. I KNOW MY SON KENDRICK SMITH THOUGHT VERY HIGHLY OF HER AND ENJOYED HER AS A TEACHER. SHE WOULD ALWAYS ASK HOW MY SON WAS DOING. SHE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL. KEEP YOUR CHINS UP AND REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES YOU HAD WITH HER. SHE WILL BE MISSED. SHE WILL BE LOOKING DOWN UPON YOU ALL AND BE IN YOUR HEARTS FOREVER.
Gail (CVS) says
Rick, I’m so sorry about Margaret. You were a rock through the long journey. Remember the happy times . . . it does make it easier. Hugs and support.
Ginny and Linda Orvalla says
Rickerd and family. So sad about Margaret’s passing. We remember her as a sincerely
interested person. She always asked about our family the few times we saw her. We also remember how she could polka, even with Uncle Emil. As we know, time will help you heal. Take care of yourselves.
John and Andy says
Rick! We were saddened to learn of Margaret’s passing. I and Andy have so many fond memorys of her.
May you find comfort knowing she is smiling down upon you.
May God Bless you and May he hold you in the Palm of his Hand always.
Kent Dodge says
What a blessed life. Good job Maggie!
Margaret Ziegler says
Anne,
I’m so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Her kind, gentle spirit certainly lives on in you.
I wish blessings to you and your family as your Mother watches over all of you from above.
Gos Bless,
Margaret Ziegler
Marge Oedekoven says
We are so sorry to learn of Margaret’s passing. On behalf of Grace Felstet Orvalla’s family you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are all so very sorry for your loss.
Mari Bender says
Rick, Anne and Tom,
I was so sorry to hear of Maggie’s death. It was a joy and pleasure to teach with and know this wonderful woman. Her positive attitude and joyful spirit will live on in all you!
Norma Ardesson says
Anne and family — so very sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to give up a parent — but your memories of her will stay with you for your whole life.
Pat Dodge Robinson says
In 1971 I began teaching in East Helena and Margaret was already a remarkable teacher there with experience (probably 2 years at the time!) I never forgot her warmth, kindness, and friendship and all she taught me about teaching! For some reason, I remember seeing her in downtown Helena while she was on maternity leave and asking the new baby’s name: Ann. Ironically, Ann and my daughter Olivia became friends at St Mary. I am remembering her so fondly today and sending many prayers and much love. It must be soothing to realize the legacy she left behind.
Stacey Hirschey Wilz says
To the entire Felstet family! My sincerest sympathies go out to all of you at this time. I have so many fond memories of Maggie growing up, and she was always so loving and giving to me. She will be missed by many! Miss and love you all!
Staci Dawes says
As a first year teacher in Title I, I was in Mrs. Felstet’s room everyday. She and I team taught math. She taught students first, content first. I will never forget the story she told at her retirement party about her bad perm and the night her and Rick went out. He had not commented on her horrible perm, but seemed to take forever to get ready. As he walked out of the bathroom, she was apalled at what she saw and told him that he could not go out looking like that (greased down hair, parted down the middle). Rick you told her…if you are going out looking like that, I can go out looking like this…I have never laughed so hard…